Finesse is a flattering label to throw around when talking about artwork and cuisine. It has its value in communication and clothing.

But when it comes to a physical sport — one that's built on force and brutality like football — having that tag should be viewed as an insult.

Ironically, the problem with the Joe Philbin era of the Dolphins is there isn't a more fitting word to describe Miami's offense the past three seasons, no matter who the coordinator is. And Sunday's 27-24 last-second loss at Sun Life Stadium to the Green Bay Packers highlighted the issues Miami's finesse style presents.

The Dolphins came into Sunday's game with the fifth best rushing offense in the NFL, averaging 142.3 rushing yards per game, and 5.0 yards per carry. But the Dolphins gained 10 yards on 10 carries in the first half against the Packers.

"They were doing some twists on the front line we didn't see on film," said tailback Lamar Miller, who gained 53 rushing yards and scored his third rushing touchdown of the season on 14 carries. "Once we made corrections and figured out what they were doing I think we had success."

The Packers' Aaron Rodgers wins it after fumbling during the final drive (but having one of his linemen recover) and then converting a fourth-and-10. (Jim Rassol, Joe Cavaretta)

Actually, Miami's 120 rushing yards against Green Bay was the second worst rushing total of the season for the Dolphins. And 40 of those came on a Ryan Tannehill quarterback option run, which coincidentally was Miami's biggest offensive play of the season.

In fairness to the Dolphins, there is an elegance to Miami's new offense. The spread scheme Bill Lazor installed takes whatever a defense gives them and works to make the most of it.

If the opposition puts six defenders in the box, the Dolphins will bring the tight end in and run the ball as long as it is not a third-down situation that dictates a pass play. If the opposition puts seven defenders in the box Miami will typically spread the field and throw the football. And that philosophy is evident even in the red zone.

Here are the things that could be taken away from the Miami Dolphins' excruciating 27-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers with 3 seconds left. -- Steve Svekis (Steve Svekis, Omar Kelly)

This works in Miami's favor in most instances, except when an opponent is determined to dictate to the Dolphins how they want them to play. On Sunday, the Packers intentionally placed the game in Tannehill's hands by stacking the box, and dared Philbin's team to throw the ball to beat Green Bay.

The Packers were encouraging a shootout, which played into their favor.

Tannehill did throw two touchdowns, the last of which provided the Dolphins a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter. But nursing a four-point lead with 4:09 left in the game, the Dolphins couldn't run the ball to run out the clock and seal the victory.

Three runs produced two yards with the game in the balance, and Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, was given the ball back with 2:04 left in the game.

"They loaded the box. They had nine guys in there and they knew we were trying to run the clock out," said Mike Pouncey, who started his first NFL game at right guard. " They did a really good job of scheming it up and made more plays at the end of the game than we did."

The Packers marched 60-yards down the field on 11 plays to score the game-winning touchdown.

If the Dolphins had a more forceful rushing attack that might not have happened.

"We've been running the ball pretty efficiently and for the first time somebody stopped us," said left tackle Branden Albert.

But not just somebody. The Packers came into Sunday's game with the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing 163 rushing yards per game, and 4.6 yards per carry.